MTSU employees pledge record $128K-plus for 2017 C...

Middle Tennessee State University again displayed the True Blue spirit of giving, with faculty and staff pledging a record amount for the 2017-18 Employee Charitable Giving Campaign.

With the theme of “Tradition of Giving,” the monthlong drive ended Nov. 1 with 813 participants pledging a total $128,593.04 — a new record for the campaign and 107 percent of the $120,000 goal.

Last year’s campaign resulted in 730 faculty and staff participating to raise $121,122.

“I couldn’t be prouder of all of those who stepped up in such a tangible way to help the many nonprofit organizations provide their much needed services,” said MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee, who kicked off the campaign at the Employee Benefits Fair in late September.

“Giving is an integral part of what it really means to be ‘True Blue,’ so I must say thank you to all of our employees who chose to share a portion of their blessings with others in our community.”

And for the fifth straight year, the Jennings A. Jones College of Business was awarded the Provost Cup, presented to the academic unit having the highest rate of employee participation. The college captured the cup with roughly 79 percent of employees participating, up from about 75 percent last year.

University Provost Mark Byrnes, left, presents the Provost Cup to the Jennings A. Jones College Business for having the highest percentage giving among academic units for the fifth straight year as part of the Employee Charitable Giving Campaign. Accepting on behalf of the Jones College is Associate Dean David Foote, center, and Teena Young, campaign chair for the college and graduation analyst in the undergraduate advising center. (MTSU photo by Jimmy Hart)

For those participating in the campaign, gifts could be designated to any charitable organization from a list of 10 independent charities and three federated charitable organizations including Community Health Charities, Community Shares, and local United Ways.

The campaign is fueled largely by monthly payroll deductions from MTSU employees, but also allows one-time, lump-sum gifts at the donor’s discretion.

A committee of volunteers from every division of the university manages the campaign, raising awareness throughout with social media posts, videos, weekly drawings and spotlighting engagement efforts by offices throughout the university.

MTSU employees kick off 2017 Charitable Giving Campaign

Sept. 27, 2017

Middle Tennessee State University kicked off its 2017 Charitable Giving Campaign on Wednesday, Sept. 27, with volunteers expressing hopes that faculty and staff contributions will repeat the $120,000-plus raised in last year’s effort.

“Our Charitable Giving Campaign is indeed one of MTSU’s pride points,” McPhee said. “It underscores again the enormous impact and force for good that our university and its employees provide to the communities we serve.”

This year’s campaign officially starts Oct. 1 and will continue through the first week of November. An electronic giving form, along with detailed information about the campaign and the charitable organizations that have registered for the effort, can be found at www.mtsu.edu/givemtsu.

Gifts may be designated to any charitable organization from a list of 10 independent charities and three federated charitable organizations including Community Health Charities, Community Shares and local United Ways.

The campaign, managed by a committee of volunteers from every division of the university, is fueled largely by monthly payroll deductions from MTSU employees, but also allows one-time, lump-sum gifts at the donor’s discretion.

The committee will draw attention and awareness to the campaign throughout October through social media posts, video features, weekly prize drawings and spotlighting engagement efforts by offices throughout the university, said Andrew Oppmann, vice president for marketing and communications.

McPhee told the crowd assembled at the James Union Building that he was proud that more than 730 staff members participated in last year’s campaign, which raised $121,122.

“The theme of this year’s campaign is Tradition of Giving, and I am very impressed, and very proud, with our tradition of giving at MTSU,” the president said.

Byrnes took possession of the Provost Cup, awarded to the academic unit having the highest rate of employee participation, from Dr. David Urban, dean of the Jennings A. Jones College of Business. The college secured the cup in 2016 for the fourth consecutive year with roughly 75 percent of its employees participating in the campaign.

“We’re just lending this to you,” said Urban, as he handed the cup back to Byrnes.

MTSU University Provost Mark Byrnes, left, accepts return of the Provost’s Cup from Dr. David Foote, associate dean of the Jennings A. Jones College of Business, and Dr. David Urban, dean of Jones College, during the 2017 MTSU Charitable Giving Campaign Kickoff held Wednesday, Sept. 27, inside the James Union Building. The Provost Cup is presented each year to the academic college with the highest percentage of givers. Jones College has won the cup four years in a row. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

Urban, who is also serving as this year’s development chair for the communitywide campaign on behalf of the United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties, also used the kickoff event to present a trophy to MTSU for its presence in the Top 10 United Way campaigns in 2016.

McPhee said he hoped faculty and staff would again join him and first lady Elizabeth McPhee in renewing their gifts to the Charitable Giving Campaign.

“Your generosity and giving spirit have improved, even saved, lives and made our cities, counties and region better places for us all,” he said.

Anyone with questions about this year’s Employee Charitable Giving Campaign should contact Allison McGoffin in the Office of the Provost at 615-898-2953 or Tara Hollins in Marketing and Communications at 615-494-7800.

— Andrew Oppmann (andrew.oppmann@mtsu.edu)

Dr. David Urban, right, dean of the Jennings A. Jones College of Business, presents MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee with a 2016 Top 10 Award from United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties during the 2017 MTSU Charitable Giving Campaign Kickoff held Wednesday, Sept. 27, in the James Union Building. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

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